Thermal expansion compensating device and method of use

ABSTRACT

A thermal expansion compensating device has a conduit with a first opening and a second opening for connection to a first pipe and a second pipe of a hot water system, respectively, the first and second pipes being formed by removing a section from a length of pipe of the hot water system. A pre-tensioning force is applied to the device to axially displace the first opening from the second opening until after connection of the openings of the pipes. A resiliently deformable pipe segment defines a portion of the conduit between the first opening and the second opening and is resiliently deformed to a tensioned position by the application of the pre-tensioning force. Once the hot water system is activated, the pipes axially thermally expand such that the first opening moves towards the second opening and the pipe segment moves from the tensioned position towards a rest position decreasing the stress on the device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to pipe systems. More particularly, thisinvention relates to devices which compensate for thermal expansion ofpipes in the pipe system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Thermal compensating devices and systems vary depending on the amount ofthermal expansion and contraction expected in the pipe system they aremeant to protect. In general, a linear pipe in a water system may buckleduring changes in thermal operating temperatures if proper precautionsare not taken. Prior art systems compensate for such thermal expansionby having horizontal members of various lengths to create loops. Thedifficulty with horizontal members however is that they may need to spanover relatively large horizontal distances to absorb the anticipatedthermal expansion. As such, many prior art devices cannot fit within astandard wall cavity between walls studs, such as two inch by four inchwall studs.

Thus, difficulties with prior art systems include that the wall studs orwall cavity must be interrupted, such as by drilling holes through them,to install and conceal the prior art thermal compensating devices behindthe walls. This may also interfere with other utilities, such aselectrical, heating and ventilation utilities, which are also presentbehind walls. Furthermore, during thermal expansion, the prior artthermal expansion compensating devices may expand or contract whichcould cause the prior art devices to move against wall studs or otherutility items, potentially damaging the pipe system and/or the otherutility devices. Furthermore, many of the prior art compensating devicesare built in the field during installation from components that are notgenerally well suited for such applications, and may require more labourand time input is often required.

For example, attached FIG. 1 shows such a prior art compensating devicewhere a prior art device, shown generally by reference numeral 1, has aloop 5 created by two horizontal members 2 and a vertical member 4.Moreover, the prior art compensating device 1 may be built fromcomponents used in the field, such as elbows 3, which may be stressedwhen thermal expansion occurs. To some extent, the length of thehorizontal members 2 is intended to lessen the stress of the elbows 3.However, in this prior art device 1, the elbows 3 will be under stressfor as long as the operating temperature of the system is above theambient temperature, or at least above the temperature duringinstallation of the device 1. In general, if such a prior art device 1is used in a hot water heating system, for example, one would expect theelevated thermal operating temperature to subsist indefinitely, as thisis the normal operating temperature of the hot water system, and, thethermal stresses caused by the operating temperature of the hot waterwill add to the physical stressors at the elbows 3, and othercomponents, for the life of the system.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for better thermal expansioncompensating devices that are more compact so as to fit in a standardwall cavity, that do not require increase labour and time to install dueto customization in the field, and, have decreased physical stressduring use to improve longevity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to at least partiallyovercome some of the disadvantages of the prior art.

Accordingly, in one of its aspects, this invention resides in a thermalexpansion compensating device to decrease physical stresses in a watersystem due to thermal expansion, said device comprising: a fluid conduithaving a first opening for connection to a first pipe of the watersystem and a second opening for connection to a second pipe of the watersystem, wherein said first opening is in fluid communication with thesecond opening, and, the first opening is substantially axially alignedwith and axially separated from the second opening, with the firstopening and the second opening configured to have a substantiallyaligned flow direction; a resiliently deformable pipe segment defining aportion of the conduit and located between the first opening and thesecond opening; a pre-tensioning member for applying a pre-tensioningforce to substantially axially displace the first opening from thesecond opening by resiliently deforming the resiliently deformable pipesegment from a first rest position, where the resiliently deformablepipe segment is at rest, to a second tensioned position, where theresiliently deformable pipe segment is resiliently deformed due to thepre-tensioning force.

In a further aspect, the present invention resides in a method forinstalling the above-noted device in the water system, said water systemhaving at least one linear pipe with a first anchored end anchored to afirst rigid structure and a second anchored end anchored to a secondrigid structure, the first anchored end being axially displaced from thesecond anchored end, said method of installing comprising: removing asection of the linear pipe between the first anchored end and the secondanchored end forming the first pipe associated with the first anchoredend and forming the second pipe associated with the second anchored end,said removed section corresponding to a distance of a first opening tosecond opening when said pre-tensioning member has axially displaced thefirst opening from the second opening by resiliently deforming theresiliently deformable pipe segment from the first rest position to thesecond tensioned position; connecting the first opening to the firstpipe; connecting the second opening to the second pipe such that thefluid conduit permits fluid to flow from the first pipe through thethermal expansion compensating device to the second pipe; and after thefirst pipe has been connected to the first opening and the second pipehas been connected to the second opening, removing the pre-tensioningmember.

In a further aspect, the present invention resides in a water system ofa building, said building having more than one storey, said water systemhaving at least one length of pipe anchored to the building at a firstanchored end and a second anchored end axially displaced from the firstanchored end, wherein a section of the at least one length of pipe isremoved between the at least two anchored locations forming a first pipeassociated with the first anchored location and a second pipe associatedwith the second anchored location, a thermal expansion compensatingdevice to decrease physical stresses in the water system due to thermalexpansion, said device comprising: a fluid conduit having a firstopening for connection to the first pipe and a second opening forconnection to the second pipe, wherein the first opening is in fluidcommunication with the second opening, and, the first opening issubstantially axially aligned with and axially separated from the secondopening, and with the first opening and the second opening configured tohave a substantially aligned flow direction; a resiliently deformablepipe segment defining a portion of the conduit and located between thefirst opening and the second opening; wherein the resiliently deformablepipe segment is resiliently deformed to a tensioned position, where theresiliently deformable pipe segment is resiliently deformed due to apre-tensioning force applied by a pre-tensioning member to axiallydisplace the first opening from the second opening; wherein the firstopening is connected to the first pipe and the second opening isconnected to the second pipe while the resiliently deformable pipesegment is in the second tensioned position; and wherein thepre-tensioning force is removed after the first opening is connected tothe first pipe and the second opening is connected to the second pipe.

Accordingly, in one aspect, a potential advantage of the presentinvention is that the pre-tensioning member pretensions the device priorto installation, such that the device will operate at minimal physicalstress when the system reaches normal or maximum design operatingtemperatures. This may improve the longevity of the device, and, mayalso decrease other stresses in the system, including the pipes to whichthe device is attached.

A further potential advantage of at least some embodiments of thepresent invention is that the present invention comprises a uniquegeometry for converting thermal axial expansion of linear pipe segmentsof the pipe system into bending and unbending moment of a resilientlybiased pipe segment. In this way, a more compact device can be used asopposed to the prior art systems. Furthermore, the device may experienceless physical stress during operation of the hot water system at itsoperating temperature.

A further potential advantage of at least some embodiments of thepresent invention, is that the device has a unique geometry comprisingsubstantially s-shaped fittings which interact with the resilientlydeformable pipe segment to relieve physical stresses during use atoperating temperatures above the ambient temperature and/or above theinstallation temperature. In other words, the resiliently deformablepipe segment may be pre-tensioned before and after installation, untilthe hot water system becomes active. Once the hot water system becomesactive, the hot water system, including the device, approach its normaloperating temperature which will cause the linear pipes of the system tothermally axially expand, thereby converting the thermal axial expansionof the linear pipes into a contraction of the device, de-stressing theresilient pipe segment and the device as a whole. In other words, thedevice and the resiliently deformable pipe segment in particular, wouldbe at or near the rest position, with little to no stress, during thelifetime of use of the water system.

A further potential advantage of at least some embodiments of thepresent invention is that the pre-tensioning member may be releasablylocked to the device, and in particular the substantially s-shapefittings. This permits the pre-tensioning member to be removed from aninstalled device and re-used on another uninstalled device by releasablylocking the same pre-tensioning member to the other device. Thisdecreases the overall operational cost of the device by permittingelements to be reused and recycle.

Further aspects of the invention will become apparent upon reading thefollowing detailed description and drawings, which illustrate theinvention and preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the invention:

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art device.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a fluid conduit of the thermal expansioncompensating device without a pretension member releasable lockedtherein and the resiliently deformable pipe segment at the first restposition, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the fluid conduit of the thermal expansioncompensating device shown in FIG. 2 showing the pre-tensioning memberreleasable locked therein and the resiliently deformable pipe segment atthe second tensioned position, according to one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the assembled thermal expansioncompensating device with the fluid conduit and pre-tensioning memberreleasable locked therein and the resiliently deformable pipe segment atthe second tensioned position, according to one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the assembled thermal expansioncompensating device with the fluid conduit and pre-tensioning memberreleasable locked therein and the resiliently deformable pipe segment atthe second tensioned position, according to one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6a is a pipe of a water system rigidly connected to two differentlocations of a building prior to installation of the device.

FIG. 6b is a side view of the assembled thermal expansion compensatingdevice with the fluid conduit and pre-tensioning member according to oneembodiment of the present invention with the device connected to twopipes in a storey of a building and the resiliently deformable pipesegment at the second tensioned position;

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the installed thermal expansion deviceaccording to one embodiment of the present invention with the deviceconnected to the pipes of the water system, the pre-tensioning memberremoved, but the hot water system not active yet, such that the pipes ofthe hot water system have not thermally expanded and the resilientlydeformable pipe segment is still in the second tensioned position;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the installed thermal expansion deviceaccording to one embodiment of the present invention with the deviceconnected to the pipes of the water system, the pre-tensioning memberremoved and the hot water system active, such that the pipes of the hotwater system have thermally axially expanded and the resilientlydeformable pipe segment has moved from the second tensioned positiontoward the first rest position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the invention and its advantages can beunderstood by referring to the present drawings. In the presentdrawings, like numerals are used for like and corresponding parts of theaccompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 2, one embodiment of the present invention relates to afluid conduit, shown generally by reference numeral 10, which is part ofa thermal expansion compensating device, shown generally by referencenumeral 100, but without a pre-tensioning member 130 locked therein. Asillustrated in FIG. 2, the fluid conduit 10 has a first end 11 and asecond end 12. The first end 11 may have a first opening 21, which inone preferred embodiment may act as an inlet opening. The second end 12may have a second opening 22, which in one preferred embodiment may actas an outlet opening. The first opening 21 is connectable to a firstpipe 501 of a water system and the second opening 22 may be connected toa second pipe 502 of the water system to permit fluid communication fromthe first pipe 501, through the first or inlet opening 21, through thefluid conduit 10 and out the second or outlet opening 22 to the secondpipe 502. In this way, the fluid conduit 10 may be inserted between alength of pipe 500 of a water system by removing a section of the pipe.This is apparent at least in part by the first or inlet opening 21 beingsubstantially axially aligned with, but axially separated from, thesecond or outlet opening 22. In this context, it is understood that thelongitudinal axis is the dash line extending in a direction L_(A)passing through the first opening 21 and out the substantially axiallyaligned second opening 22. It is also understood that the longitudinalaxis L_(A) in this case, would also be aligned with the longitudinalaxis L_(AP) of the longitudinal pipe 500 (shown in FIG. 6a ) from thewater system after the thermal expansion compensating device 100 isinstalled.

The thermal expansion compensating device 100 further comprises aresiliently deformable pipe segment, shown generally by referencenumeral 13, which defines a portion of the conduit 10 and is locatedbetween the first or inlet opening 21 and the second or outlet opening22. In this way, the resiliently deformable pipe segment 13 is locatedin between the two openings 21, 22. In a further preferred embodiment,the resiliently deformable pipe segment 13 is located substantiallymidway in the fluid conduit 10, and may be referred to as a middle pipein such an embodiment.

The resiliently deformable pipe segment 13 is preferably resilientlydeformable from a first rest position, where the resiliently deformablepipe segment is at rest and under no external physical stresses, to asecond tensioned position, where the resiliently deformable pipe segmentis resiliently deformed, such as due to a pre-tensioning force F_(PT).In FIG. 2, the resiliently deformable pipe segment 13 is shown at therest position which is apparent by there being no bend in the pipesegment 13. FIG. 2 illustrates, for example, how the fluid conduit 10may appear at the time of manufacturing, before any external forces areapplied.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the thermal expansion compensatingdevice 100 including the pre-tensioning member 130 locked therein andapplying a pre-tensioning force F_(PT), to resiliently deform theresiliently deformable pipe segment 13 from the first rest position(shown in FIG. 2) to the second tensioned position, shown in FIG. 3. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, the resiliently deformable pipe segment 13 inFIG. 3 is in the second tensioned position and has a bend caused by thepre-tensioning force F_(PT). Applied pre-tensioning forces and thecorresponding deformation of the resiliently deformable pipe segment 13,in at least one preferred embodiment, are set out in Table 1 anddiscussed below.

The thermal expansion compensating device 100 shown in FIG. 3 would bein a form for installation to a pipe 500 of a water system 600. Inparticular, the thermal expansion compensating device 100 would beconnected to a longitudinal pipe 500 having a section 530 of thelongitudinal pipe removed and the first opening 21 connected to thefirst pipe 501 of the longitudinal pipe 500 and the second opening 22connected to the second pipe 502 of the longitudinal pipe 500. In otherwords, the thermal expansion compensating device 100 is intended to beinstalled to the first and second pipes 501, 502 of a water system whilethe resiliently deformable pipe segment 13 is in the second tensionedposition and the pre-tensioning member 130 is applying thepre-tensioning force to substantially axially displace the first opening21 from the second opening 22 a predetermined distance by resilientlydeforming the resiliently deformable pipe segment 13 from the first restposition (shown in FIG. 2) to the second tensioned position. (Shown inFIG. 3).

After installation of the first opening 21 to the first pipe 501 and thesecond opening 22 to the second pipe 502, the pre-tensioning member 130may be removed from the thermal expansion compensating device 100.However, because the first opening 21 is connected to the first pipe 501and the second opening 22 is connected to the second pipe 502, theresiliently deformable pipe segment 13 will remain in the secondtensioned position. In other words, the pre-tensioning member 130 isconfigured to be removed from the thermal expansion compensating device100 after the first opening 21 has been connected to the first pipe 501and the second opening 22 has been connected to the second pipe 502which would permit the resiliently deformable pipe segment 13 to movefrom the second tensioned position towards the first rest position.However, such movement from the second tensioned position towards thefirst rest position would not initially occur precisely because thefirst opening 21 is connected to the first pipe 501 and the secondopening 22 is connected to the second pipe 502. Therefore, theresiliently deformable pipe segment 13 will stay in the second tensionedposition after installation and after removal of the pre-tensioningmember 130 and until the first and second pipes 501, 502 have thermallyaxially expanded. In other words, because the resiliently deformablepipe segment 13 is permitted to move after the pre-tensioning member 130is removed, as the water system is activated and approaches its higheroperating temperature, the first pipe 501 and the second pipe 502 willbegin to thermally expand. This thermal axial expansion of the firstpipe 501 and the second pipe 502 will cause the first opening 21 to moveaxially towards the second opening 22, thereby decreasing the axialdisplacement of the first opening 21 from the second opening 22 andpermitting the resiliently deformable pipe segment 13 to move from thesecond tensioned position towards the first rest position. In this way,as the water system and the pipes thereof, including the first pipe 501and the second pipe 502, approach the operating temperature range of thehot water system, the thermal expansion compensating device 100, and theresiliently deformable pipe segment 13 in particular, will have adecreased physical stress, rather than an increased physical stress, dueto the axial thermal expansion of the first pipe 501 and the second pipe502.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front end elevation view of the assembled thermalexpansion compensating device 100 with the fluid conduit 10 and thepre-tensioning member 130 releasable locked therein and the resilientlydeformable pipe segment 13 in the second tensioned position. Asillustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, in a preferred embodiment, thepre-tensioning member 130 applies a pre-tensioning force F_(PT) along apre-tensioning axis A_(PT) that is substantially parallel to alongitudinal axis L_(DP) of the resiliently deformable pipe segment 13.In this way, the pre-tensioning force F_(PT) converts axial displacementof the first opening 21 and the second opening 22 into bending moment ofthe resiliently deformable pipe segment 13. This pre-tensioning axisA_(PT), in a preferred embodiment, is also preferably parallel, and insome cases aligned, with the longitudinal axis L_(A) passing through thefirst opening 21 and the second opening 22.

In a further preferred embodiment, the pre-tensioning member 130 is arod-like member, such as a slender cylindrical rod or tube, showngenerally by reference numeral 133 in FIGS. 4 and 5. It is understoodhowever, that the pre-tensioning member 130 may be may shape, or be anytype of member or device sufficient to apply the pre-tensioning forceF_(PT). In a preferred embodiment, the pre-tensioning force would rangefrom 2000 pounds per square inch (psi) to about 4000 psi. Therefore, thepre-tensioning member 130, regardless of its form, including if it is arod-like member 133, must be sufficient to apply a pre-tensioning forceof 4000 psi to axially displace the first opening 21 from the secondopening 22.

It is also understood, that in a preferred embodiment, thepre-tensioning member 130 is inserted into the device 100 and thepre-tensioning force F_(PT) is applied, at the time of manufacture atthe factory. However, the pre-tensioning member 130 may be inserted intothe device 100 and the pre-tensioning force F_(PT) could be applied atany time before installation of the device 100 to pipe 500 andconnections of the openings 21, 22 to the first and second pipes 501,502.

As also illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the pre-tensioning force F_(PT)will axially displace the first opening 21 from the second opening 22 bya predetermined distance D_(PD). The predetermined distance D_(PD), in apreferred embodiment, substantially corresponds to an anticipated axialthermal expansion of the first pipe segment 501 and the second pipesegment 502 caused by the water system reaching operating temperatures.(The predetermined distance D_(PD) is illustrated in FIG. 3 in anexaggerated manner for ease of illustration). In a preferred embodiment,this predetermined distance may be about 0.55 inches in water systemshaving an anticipated operating temperature rise of 120° F. from theinstallation temperature.

In this regard, it is understood that the anticipated axial thermalexpansion of the first pipe 501 and the second pipe 502 caused by thewater system reaching the operating temperatures, could involve asignificant temperature differential from the installation temperature,as in many cases, the water system would be installed in a building, orother structure which is not heated at the time of installation.Therefore, the installation temperature could be about 50° to 70° F., oreven lower in norther climates approaching 20° to 40° F. depending onthe time of year. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, thepredetermined distance D_(PD) would need to account for an anticipatedaxial thermal expansion of the first pipe 501 and the second pipe 502,not merely from room temperature to the anticipated operatingtemperature of the water system, but from the installation temperatureof the water system as a whole (which could be much lower than roomtemperature depending on a number of factors, including climate) to theanticipated operating temperature of the water system.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the fluid conduit 10, is preferably furtherdefined by a first fitting, shown generally by reference numeral 110,extending from a first inlet opening 111 to a first outlet opening 112of the first fitting 110. The first inlet opening 111 of the firstfitting 110, in a preferred embodiment, may preferably define the firstor inlet opening 21 of the device 100. The first outlet opening 112 ofthe first fitting 110 is preferably rigidly fixed to an inlet opening 14of the resiliently deformable pipe segment 13.

The fluid conduit 10 is preferably further defined by a second fitting,shown generally by reference numeral 120, extending from a second inletopening 121 to a second outlet opening 122. The second inlet opening 121of the second fitting 120 is preferably resiliently fixed to an outletopening 15 of the resiliently deformable pipe segment 13 and the secondoutlet opening 122 of the second fitting 120 preferably defines thesecond or outlet opening 22 of the device 100.

In a further preferred embodiment, the first fitting 110 is asubstantially s-shape fitting with the first inlet opening 111 and thefirst outlet opening 112 axially offset from each other by a lateraldisplacement distance D_(LD) shown best in FIG. 2. Similarly, the secondfitting 120 is preferably a substantially s-shape fitting with a secondinlet opening 121 and a second outlet opening 122 axially offset fromeach other by the same lateral displacement distance D_(LD). In thisway, the first inlet opening 111 is axially aligned with the secondoutlet opening 122 and are configured to face away from each other asillustrated for instance in FIGS. 2 and 5. In this way, the first inletopening 111, which also defines the first or inlet opening 21 of thedevice 100, and the second inlet opening 121, which also defines thesecond or outlet opening 22 of the device 100, are also substantiallyaxially aligned with and axially separated from each other, and alsoconfigured to have a substantially aligned flow direction D_(F) asillustrated for instance in FIGS. 2 and 5.

In a further preferred embodiment, the first fitting 110 and the secondfitting 120 have a substantially identical shape and are both s-shapefittings. In this way, the device 100 is easier to manufacture as two ofthe components are identical. Furthermore, by the first and secondfittings 110, 120 being identical, it is ensured that the lateraldisplacement distance D_(LD) will be the same and also less than 6inches. In this way, the lateral displacement distance D_(LD) of thedevice 100 will also be less than 6 inches which will assist ininstallation of the device 100 in a wall cavity 703 as discussed morefully below.

In a further preferred embodiment, the device 100 comprises a releasablelocking mechanism, shown generally by reference 150 in FIGS. 2 and 5,for releasably locking the pre-tensioning member 130 to the device 100.Preferably, the releasable locking mechanism 150 comprises protrusions151 and 152 from the first fitting 110 and the second fitting 120,respectively.

Prior to connecting the first or inlet opening 21 to the first pipe 501and the second or outlet opening 22 to the second pipe 502, thepre-tensioning member 130 is releasably locked to the device 100 by thereleasable locking mechanism 150. In order for the pre-tensioning member130 to better provide the pre-tensioning force F_(PT) along thepre-tensioning axis A_(PT), and substantially parallel to thelongitudinal axis L_(DP) of the resiliently deformable pipe segment 13,the protrusions 151, 152 are also preferably axially aligned with thelongitudinal axis L_(A) as illustrated for instance in FIG. 2.

In a further preferred embodiment, the first protrusion 151 extends fromthe first fitting 110 and the second protrusion 152 extends from thesecond fitting 120. The pre-tensioning member 130 is then releasablelocked by the releasable locking mechanism 150 between the first fitting110 and the second fitting 120 to apply the pre-tensioning force F_(PT)therebetween and axially displace the first or inlet opening 21 of thedevice 100 away from the second or outlet opening 22 of the device 100by resiliently deforming the resiliently deformable pipe segment 13 fromthe first rest position to the second tensioned position. Therefore, theresiliently deformable pipe segment 13 is in the second tensionedposition when the pre-tensioning member 130 has been releasably lockedby the locking mechanism 150. The pre-tensioning member 130, in apreferred embodiment, is locked or wedged between the protrusions 151,152 as shown in FIG. 5 with the first end 131 of the pre-tensioningmember 130 engaging the first protrusion 151 and the second end 132 ofthe pre-tensioning member 130 engaging the second protrusion 152.Preferably, the protrusions 151, 152 are angled or triangularly shapedto facilitate locking the ends 131, 132 of the pre-tensioning member 130therebetween.

After the device 100 is installed to the water system by having thefirst or inlet opening 21 connected to the first pipe 501 and the secondor outlet opening 22 connected to the second pipe 502, thepre-tensioning member 130 is configured to be releasably removed fromthe releasable locking mechanism 150. This can be done for instance byremoving or dislodging the pre-tensioning member 130 from between theprotrusions 151, 152 by axial or lateral movement of the ends 131 and/or132. Once the pre-tensioning member 130 is removed from the releasablelocking mechanism 150, the first or inlet opening 21 is permitted tomove towards the second or outlet opening 22. However, this will nothappen initially because the first or inlet opening 21 has beenconnected to a first pipe 501 and the second or outlet opening 22 hasbeen connected to the second pipe 502. In this way, the first or inletopening 21 and the second or outlet opening 22, while permitted toaxially move towards each other because of removal of the pre-tensioningmember 130, will not actually do so until the first pipe 501 and thesecond pipe 502 axially thermally expand. Once the water system becomesactive and the first and second pipes 501, 502 begin to reach operatingtemperature and axially thermally expand, the first or inlet opening 21will be permitted to axially move towards the second or outlet opening22 and thereby resiliently deform the resiliently deformable pipesegment 13 from the second tensioned position towards the first restposition.

Once the pre-tensioning member 130 is removed from a device 100, thepre-tensioning member 130 can then be reused in another device 100. Inother words, the pre-tensioning member 130 is configured to bereleasably locked to another second device 100 after being released fromthe releasable locking mechanism 150 of a first device 100. This permitsrecycling or reuse of the pre-tensioning member 130 which is inherentlyenvironmental friendly and also decreases the cost of the device 100.

A method of installing and using the device 100 according to onepreferred embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS. 6a,6b , 7, 8 and 9.

As illustrated in FIG. 6a , a building structure, shown generally byreference numeral 700 having at least one storey 701, has at least onelinear pipe, shown generally by reference numeral 500. It is understoodthat each storey 701 of the building 700 may have a similar length ofpipe 500. Each length of pipe 500 has a first anchored end, showngenerally by reference numeral 511, and a second anchored end, showngenerally by reference numeral 512. The first and second anchored ends511, 512 are anchored to a rigid structure. In the embodiment where thelength of pipe 500 is in a storey 701 of a building 700, the rigidstructure is preferably the beginning of each storey 701 of the building700.

The length of pipe 500 is connected or part of a water system showngenerally by reference numeral 600. It is understood that when thelength of pipe 500 is installed and the device 100 is installed, thewater system is not active. In particular, there is no water in thewater system 600 and it is not being heated. In fact, the building 700may be in a construction stage and open to the elements. Each storey 701also preferably has a wall cavity, shown generally by reference numeral703. The wall cavity 703 contains the pipe 500 and is defined byvertical supports, shown generally by reference numeral 702. Thesupports 702 may be a wooden 2×4 length of lumber, if wood is used, orother type of building material, such as aluminium or stainless steel.

As also illustrated in FIG. 6a , the first anchored end 511 is axiallydisplaced from the second anchored end 512. This axial displacement isalong the longitudinal axis L_(AP) of the pipe 500. A section, showngenerally by reference numeral 530, of the linear pipe 500 is removedbetween the first anchored end 511 and the second anchored 512. Removingthe section 530 of the pipe 500 forms the first pipe 501, associatedwith the first anchored end 511, and forms the second pipe 502,associated with the second anchored end 512. Preferably, the removedsection 530 corresponds to a distance of the first or inlet opening 21from the second or outlet opening 22 of the device 100 when thepre-tensioning member 130 has axially displaced the first or inletopening 21 from the second or outlet opening 22 by resiliently deformingthe resiliently deformable pipe segment 13 to the second tensionedposition. The device 100 is then installed by connecting the first orinlet opening 21 to the first pipe 501 by known means, such asadhesives, and similarly, connecting the second or outlet opening 22 tothe second pipe 502. This is done while the pre-tensioning member 130 isaxially displacing the first or outlet opening 21 from the second oroutlet opening 22 and this is illustrated in FIG. 6b . (It is noted thewater system is not shown in FIG. 6b for ease of illustration).

As illustrated in FIG. 6b , the resiliently deformable pipe segment 13is in the tensioned position. FIG. 7 shows a detailed view of the device100 shown in FIG. 6b . As also illustrated in FIG. 7, the lateraldisplacement distance D_(LD) of the first and second fittings 110, 120is less than the width of the wall cavity 703 and preferably less than 6inches. In this way, the device 100 may be connected to a pipe 500within a wall cavity 703 without disturbing the vertical supports 702and preferably with minimal interference to other utilities in thebuilding 700.

After the first pipe 501 has been connected to the first or inletopening 21 and the second pipe 502 has been connected to the second oroutlet opening 22, the pre-tensioning member 130 is removed, asillustrated for instance in FIG. 8. In FIG. 8, the removal of thepre-tensioning member 130 permits the axial movement of the first orinlet opening 21 towards the second or outlet opening 22. However, thiswill not occur at this time because the first pipe 501 is connected atthe first end 511 and the second pipe 502 connected at the second end512. In other words, even though the pre-tensioning member 130 is shownas being removed in FIG. 8, the resiliently deformable pipe segment 13is still substantially in the second tensioned position. After the watersystem 600 is activated, the temperature of the first pipe 501 and thesecond pipe 502 will begin to increase towards the operating temperatureof the water system 600. At this time, the first pipe 501 and secondpipe 502 will begin to axially thermally expand in response to theactivation of the water system 600 and the increase in temperature. Asthe pre-tensioning member 130 has now been removed, the first pipe 501and the second pipe 502 are permitted to axially thermally expandcausing the first or inlet opening 21 to axially move toward the secondor outlet opening 22. This axial movement of the first or inlet opening21 towards the second or outlet opening 22 permits the resilientlydeformable pipe segment 13 to move from the second tensioned positiontowards the first rest position due to or, in response to, the axialthermal expansion of the first pipe 501 and the second pipe 502.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the thermal expansion compensating device 100installed to the pipe 500 of the water system 600 by having the firstpipe 501 connected to the first opening 21 and the second pipe 502connected to the second opening 22, and also with the hot water system600 active, such that the pipes 501, 502 of the hot water system havethermally axially expanded from the anchored ends 511, 512 and theresiliently deformable pipe segment 13 has moved from the secondtensioned position towards the rest position. Accordingly, after the hotwater system 600 is activated, and hot water delivery begins to thelength of pipe 500, thermal axial expansion of the first pipe 501relative to the first anchored end 511 and the second pipe 502 relativeto the second anchored end 512 will move the first opening 21 axiallytowards the second opening 22. In this way, the thermal axial expansionof the first and second pipes 501, 502 will axially displace the firstopening 21 towards the second opening 22 and resiliently deform theresiliently deformable pipe segment 13 from the tensioned positiontowards the rest position.

It is understood that the resiliently deformable pipe segment 13 may notmove completely to the first rest position depending on a number offactors, including the eventual operating temperature of the watersystem 600 the eventual operating temperature of the first pipe 501 andthe second pipe 502, as well as other factors such as the temperature ofthe pipes 501, 502 at the time that the device 100 is installed and therelative initial length of the first and second pipes 501, 502. In anyevent, the device 100, as well as the resiliently deformable pipesegment 13, will be at a less physically stressed position than thesecond tensioned position after the activation of the water system 600and for the majority of the time that the device 100 is being used. Thisdecreases the overall stress on the device 100, as well as the first andsecond pipes 501, 502, and the overall water system 600.

It is understood that the pipe 501 may be one linear pipe of a pluralityof lengths of pipe in the water system 600 in a structure, such as thebuilding 700. Each length of pipe 500 may have a corresponding firstanchored end 511 and a second anchored end 512, anchored to acorresponding first and second rigid structure of the building 700. Thesame method described above and illustrated for instance in FIGS. 6a, 6b, 7, 8 and 9 may be repeated for each length of pipe. In particular, inthe case of a building 700, for each length of pipe 500, there may be acorresponding first anchored end 511 at the beginning of one storey 701in the building 700 and a corresponding second anchored end 512 at thebeginning of an adjacent storey 701 in the building 700. It isunderstood that a corresponding device 100 may be attached to two ormore lengths of pipe 500 in the building 700. A section 530 of eachlength of pipe 500 to which the device 100 is to be attached may beremoved, as discussed above, between the at least two correspondinganchored ends 511, 512 forming the corresponding first pipe 501associated with the first anchored end 511 and the corresponding secondpipe 501 associated with the second anchored end 512. It is understoodthat in general, each storey 701 would be adjacent storeys of thebuilding 700 and the length of pipe 500 will be anchored at acorresponding location at each storey 701. In each case, the lateraldisplacement distance D_(LD) of the first or inlet 21 and the secondoutlet opening 22 of the first and second fitting 110, 120,respectively, would be less than 6 inches, and, in any event less thatthe distance between the adjacent first and second vertical supports702, such that the device 100 may fit within the corresponding wallcavity 703 in each storey 701.

As also indicated above, once the pre-tensioning member 130 has beenremoved from the device 100, the pre-tensioning member 130 may bereleasably locked to another uninstalled thermal expansion compensatingdevice 100 that has not yet been installed in a water system. Thisdecreases the overall cost of operating the device 100 and also providesa more environmentally friendly method and device.

Furthermore, the following Table 1 shows experimental results using thethermal expansion compensating device 100 according to one preferredembodiment with different temperature rises.

TABLE 1 Temperature Increase from highest stress on inlet, outletopening axial Installation device (F_(PF)) displacement (D_(PD)) ° C. °F. (psi) (in) 10 18 3993 0.080 20 36 3578 0.160 30 54 2973 0.250 40 722372 0.330 50 90 1774 0.410 60 108 1179 0.490 70 120 588 0.550

As shown in Table 1, different temperature rises and the correspondingpre-tensioning force F_(PT) in pounds per square inches, are tabulated.As shown in Table 1, as the temperature rises, the corresponding forceF_(PT) decreases, representing the movement of the first opening 21axially toward the second opening 22 due to axial thermal expansion ofthe pipes 501, 502 and the movement of the resiliently deformable pipesegment 13 from the second tensioned position towards a less stressedposition where the force F_(PT) is less. As also illustrated in Table 1,the resiliently deformable pipe segment 13 may not reach the restposition (where the pre-tensioning force F_(PT) is zero) and a residualpre-tensioning force F_(PT) may still apply, but this would be much lessthan the force on the device 100 had no pre-tensioning force F_(PT) beeninitially applied to the device 100.

Table 1 also illustrates the corresponding axial displacement D_(PD) asthe temperature rises. It is understood that this displacement resultsfrom the thermal axial expansion of the first and second pipes 501, 502and decreases the axial displacement between the first or inlet opening21 and the second or outlet opening 22 initially caused by applying thepre-tensioning force F_(PT).

It is understood that while reference has been made to an inlet and anoutlet of the device as a whole, as well as components of the devicesuch as the s-shape fittings, the device in a preferred embodiment issymmetrical. In other words, while reference has been made to an inletopening and an outlet opening, this has been done merely for easy ofdescription and the inlet opening can also act as the outlet opening andthe outlet opening can also act as the inlet opening. In other words,the device in a preferred embodiment, is symmetrical across the lateralaxis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

To the extent that a patentee may act as its own lexicographer underapplicable law, it is hereby further directed that all words appearingin the claims section, except for the above defined words, shall take ontheir ordinary, plain and accustomed meanings (as generally evidenced,inter alia, by dictionaries and/or technical lexicons), and shall not beconsidered to be specially defined in this specification.Notwithstanding this limitation on the inference of “specialdefinitions,” the specification may be used to evidence the appropriate,ordinary, plain and accustomed meanings (as generally evidenced, interalia, by dictionaries and/or technical lexicons), in the situation wherea word or term used in the claims has more than one pre-establishedmeaning and the specification is helpful in choosing between thealternatives.

It will be understood that, although various features of the inventionhave been described with respect to one or another of the embodiments ofthe invention, the various features and embodiments of the invention maybe combined or used in conjunction with other features and embodimentsof the invention as described and illustrated herein.

Although this disclosure has described and illustrated certain preferredembodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the inventionis not restricted to these particular embodiments. Rather, the inventionincludes all embodiments, which are functional, electrical or mechanicalequivalents of the specific embodiments and features that have beendescribed and illustrated herein.

1. (canceled)
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. (canceled)
 5. (canceled) 6.(canceled)
 7. (canceled)
 8. (canceled)
 9. (canceled)
 10. (canceled) 11.(canceled)
 12. (canceled)
 13. (canceled)
 14. (canceled)
 15. (canceled)16. (canceled)
 17. In a water system of a building, said building havingmore than one storey, said water system having at least one length ofpipe anchored to the building at a first anchored end and a secondanchored end axially displaced from the first anchored end, wherein asection of the at least one length of pipe is removed between the firstanchored end and the second anchored end forming a first pipe associatedwith the first anchored end and a second pipe associated with the secondanchored end, a thermal expansion compensating device to decreasephysical stresses in the water system due to thermal expansion, saiddevice comprising: a fluid conduit having a first opening for connectionto the first pipe and a second opening for connection to the secondpipe, wherein the first opening is in fluid communication with thesecond opening, and, the first opening is substantially axially alignedwith and axially separated from the second opening, and with the firstopening and the second opening configured to have a substantiallyaligned flow direction; a resiliently deformable pipe segment defining aportion of the conduit and located between the first opening and thesecond opening; a pre-tensioning member for applying a pre-tensioning,force to substantially axially displace the first opening from thesecond opening by resiliently deforming the resiliently deformable pipesegment from a first rest position, where the resiliently deformablepipe segment is at rest, to a second tensioned position, where theresiliently deformable pipe segment is resiliently deformed due to thepre-tensioning force; wherein the first opening is connected to thefirst pipe and the second opening is connected to the second pipe whilethe resiliently deformable pipe segment is in the second tensionedposition.
 18. The device as defined in claim 17, wherein after thepre-tensioning member is removed, the water system is activated and hotwater delivery begins to the lengths of pipe, thermal axial expansion ofthe first pipe relative to the first anchored end and the second piperelative to the second anchored end resiliently deform the resilientlydeformable pipe segment from the second tensioned position towards arest less stressed position.
 19. The device as defined in claim 18,wherein the pre-tensioning force axially displaces the first openingfrom the second opening a predetermined distance, and, the predetermineddistance substantially corresponds to an anticipated axial thermalexpansion of the first pipe and the second pipe caused by the watersystem reaching operating temperatures.
 20. The device as defined inclaim 17, wherein the conduit is further defined by a firstsubstantially s-shape fitting extending from a first inlet opening to afirst outlet opening, the first inlet opening of the first substantiallys-shape fitting forming the first inlet opening of the device and thefirst outlet opening of the first substantially s-shape fitting rigidlyfixed to an inlet opening of the resiliently deformable pipe segment;wherein the conduit is further defined by a second substantially s-shapefitting extending from a second inlet opening to a second outletopening, the second inlet opening of the second fitting rigidly fixed toan outlet opening of the resiliently deformable pipe segment and thesecond outlet opening of the second fitting defining the second outletopening of the device; wherein the first inlet opening and the firstoutlet opening of the first substantially s-shape fitting is axiallyoffset from each other by a lateral displacement distance of less than 6inches; and wherein the second inlet opening and the second outletopening of the second substantially s-shape fitting is axially offsetfrom each other by the lateral displacement distance.
 21. The device asdefined in claim 20, wherein the at least one length of pipe isinstalled within a storey of the building with the first anchored end atone end of the storey and the second anchored end at an adjacent storeyof the building; wherein the first pipe and the second pipe arecontained within a wall cavity of the storey between a first verticalsupport and a second vertical support; wherein the lateral displacementdistance of the first inlet opening and second inlet opening is lessthan the distance between the first vertical support and the secondvertical support.
 22. The device as defined in claim 17, wherein the atleast one length of pipe is one of a plurality of lengths of pipe of thewater system in the building, each length of pipe having the firstanchored end at the beginning of a storey in the building and the secondanchored end at the beginning of an adjacent storey in the building,wherein a corresponding device is attached to two or more lengths ofpipe in the building, wherein a section of each length of pipe to whichthe device is to be attached is removed between corresponding first andsecond anchored ends forming a corresponding first pipe associated withthe first anchored end and a corresponding second pipe associated withthe second anchored end.
 23. (canceled)
 24. The device as defined inclaim 17, wherein, after the pre-tensioning member is removed, and asthe water system approaches the maximum anticipated operatingtemperature, the resiliently deformable pipe segment is resilientlydeformed by the axial thermal expansion of the first pipe and secondpipe from the tensioned position towards the first rest position. 25.The device as defined in claim 17 wherein the resiliently deformablepipe segment is resiliently deformed to the second tensioned positiondue to a pre-tensioning force applied by the pre-tensioning member toaxially displace the first opening from the second opening.
 26. Thedevice as defined in claim 17 wherein the pre-tensioning member isremoved after the first opening is connected to the first pipe and thesecond opening is connected to the second pipe.
 27. The device asdefined in claim 26 wherein, after the pre-tensioning member is removed,the resiliently deformable pipe segment remains in the second tensionedposition because the first opening is connected to the first pipe andthe second opening is connected to the second pipe.
 28. The device asdefined in claim 27 wherein, after the pre-tensioning member is removed,the resiliently deformable pipe segment remains in the second tensionedposition until the water system is activated and hot water deliverybegins to the lengths of pipe, such that thermal axial expansion of thefirst pipe relative to the first anchored end and thermal axialexpansion of the second pipe relative to the second anchored endresiliently deform the resiliently deformable pipe segment from thesecond tensioned position towards the first rest position.
 29. Thedevice as defined in claim 17, wherein the pre-tensioning member appliesthe pre-tensioning force along a pre-tensioning axis substantiallyparallel to a longitudinal axis of the resiliently deformable pipesegment to convert axial displacement of the first opening and thesecond opening into bending moment of the resiliently deformable pipesegment.
 30. The device as defined in claim 17, wherein thepre-tensioning member is a substantially rod-like member extending alonga pre-tensioning axis which is substantially axially aligned with thefirst opening and the second opening to axially apply the pre-tensioningforce.
 31. The device as defined in claim 17, wherein the pre-tensioningmember is configured to be removed, after the first opening has beenconnected to the first pipe and the second opening has been connected tothe second pipe, permitting the resiliently deformable pipe segment tomove from the second tensioned position towards the first rest positionat least partially due to axial thermal expansion of the first pipe andthe second pipe.
 32. The device as defined in claim 17, wherein thepre-tensioning member axially displaces the first opening from thesecond opening a predetermined distance; and wherein the predetermineddistance substantially corresponds to an anticipated axial thermalexpansion of the first pipe and the second pipe caused by the watersystem reaching operating temperatures.
 33. The device as defined inclaim 32, wherein the predetermined distance is up to about 0.55 inchesin water systems having anticipated operating temperature increase of120° F.
 34. The device as defined claim 17, wherein the pre-tensioningforce ranges from 2000 psi to about 4000 psi.
 35. The device as definedin claim 17, wherein the conduit is further defined by a first fittingextending from a first inlet opening to a first outlet opening, thefirst inlet opening of the first fitting defining the first opening ofthe device and the first outlet opening of the first fitting rigidlyfixed to an inlet opening of the resiliently deformable pine segment;and wherein the conduit is further defined by a second fitting extendingfrom a second inlet opening to a second outlet opening, the second inletopening of the second fitting rigidly fixed to an outlet opening of theresiliently deformable pipe segment and the second outlet opening of thesecond fitting defining the second opening of the device.
 36. The deviceas defined in claim 35, wherein the first fitting is a substantiallys-shape fitting with the first inlet opening and the first outletopening axially offset from each other a lateral displacement distanceof less than 6 inches; and wherein the second fitting is a substantiallys-shape fitting with the second inlet opening and the second outletopening axially offset from each other by the lateral displacementdistance such that the first inlet opening is axially aligned with thesecond outlet opening, and, are configured to face away from each other.37. The device as defined in claim 36, wherein the first s-shape fittingis substantially identical to the second s-shape fitting.
 38. The deviceas defined in claim 36, further comprising: a releasable lockingmechanism for releasably locking the pre-tensioning member between thefirst substantially s-shape fitting and the second substantially s-shapefitting; wherein, prior to connecting the first opening to the firstpipe and the second opening to the second pipe, the pre-tensioningmember is releasably locked by the releasable locking mechanism betweenthe first substantially s-shape fitting and the second substantiallys-shape fitting to apply the pre-tensioning three therebetween andaxially displace the first opening of the device away from the secondopening of the device by resiliently deforming the resilient deformablepipe segment from the first rest position to the second tensionedposition; and wherein after the first opening has been connected to thefirst pipe and the second opening connected to the second pipe, thepre-tensioning member is configured to be releasable removed from thereleasable locking mechanism permitting axial movement of the firstopening towards the second opening and resilient deformation of the pipesegment from the second tensioned position towards a less stressedposition as the first pipe and the second pipe axially thermally expand.39. The device as defined in claim 38, wherein the pre-tensioning memberis configured to be releasably locked to another device after beingreleased from the releasable locking mechanism.